There’s something about ‘United 93’ which makes it completely unique from any other film I’ve seen in recent history. It’s probably the perfect example of a rarity: the docudrama. It’s a film designed for entertainment but does so by simply telling the story of the events that took place. There are many action/thrillers that can lay the claim ‘based on a true story’, but often sensationalize the material in the interest of making it more entertaining.

What really adds to that fact is who performs in the film. The cast is a mix of unknown actors and real people. Sit through the credits and you’ll notice that a lot of people played themselves in the film: air-traffic controllers, pentagon officials, etc. Not only does that add to the realism of the drama, it also takes away from any stage presence that actors and actresses possess. The people that died in the events that transpired were really just a group of average people thrust into extraordinary circumstances.

What is truly remarkable in that regard is how good these actors are. They each truly play the part of what I mentioned above. And each one is capable of bringing us to the verge of tears when they realize that their deaths are imminent. Which is exactly what you’d ask for when you make a film about the events that transpired that day.